AS/NZS 2208:2023 tempered glass is a high-performance safety glazing solution for architectural and building applications where protection against human impact is important. In Australia, the current standard is identified as AS 2208:2023, with the standard having been re-designated AS/NZS 2208:2023 following Amendment No. 2 in November 2025. It supersedes the earlier AS/NZS 2208:1996 edition.

 

The standard specifies test requirements for safety glazing materials used in buildings. It covers materials including toughened (tempered) glass and laminated glass, with testing intended to promote safety and reduce the likelihood of cutting and piercing injuries following human impact.

What Is AS/NZS 2208 Tempered Glass?

Tempered glass, commonly called toughened glass in Australia, is manufactured by heating glass and then rapidly cooling it under controlled conditions. This thermal treatment increases its mechanical strength and changes its breakage characteristics.

When appropriately manufactured and tested as safety glazing, toughened glass is designed to break into smaller particles rather than large, sharp pieces when failure occurs. This makes it suitable for many applications where people may come into contact with the glass.

AS/NZS 2208 Safety Performance

AS 2208:2023 establishes safety-glazing test requirements rather than simply defining a particular glass thickness. The standard is concerned with the performance of safety glazing when subjected to specified impact testing. This distinction is important when specifying glass for a construction project.

For installation and selection in Australian buildings, AS 1288 is also relevant. Industry guidance identifies AS 2208 as the product safety-glazing standard and AS 1288 as the standard addressing selection and installation of glazing.

Applications of AS/NZS 2208 Tempered Glass

AS/NZS 2208 compliant toughened glass can be specified for many architectural applications, including:

• Glass shower doors and shower screens
• Hotel bathroom partitions
• Frameless glass doors
• Office partitions
• Retail storefronts
• Commercial entrances
• Interior architectural glazing
• Glass balustrades and screens
• Furniture and tabletops
• Residential glazing applications
• Hospitality and hotel projects

For hotels, apartments, offices and retail developments, toughened safety glass provides a combination of transparency, strength, clean aesthetics and safety performance.

Custom Toughened Glass Options

A glass manufacturer can process toughened glass in different configurations according to project requirements. Options may include clear glass, low-iron glass, tinted glass, frosted glass, patterned glass, ceramic frit glass and decorative glass.

Before tempering, glass can also be cut, drilled, notched and edge-finished to suit the installation. Because heat treatment is performed after fabrication, required holes and cut-outs generally need to be completed before tempering.

Why Choose Certified Australian Safety Glass?

For Australian construction projects, buyers should request appropriate product certification, test documentation and traceability from their glass supplier. A supplier should also clearly distinguish between compliance with AS 2208:2023 and compliance with installation requirements under other applicable standards.

Choosing properly tested AS/NZS 2208:2023 tempered glass helps architects, contractors, developers and glass installers specify safety glazing with documented performance for modern commercial, hospitality and residential buildings.